Aurelia Butler

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    in Athletics

    Inside the most brutal race in the world where athletes risk being eaten alive and freezing to death if they stop

    THE most brutal race series in the world sees athletes avoid being eaten alive and freezing to death if they stop running.Only the toughest ultramarathon runners in the world compete at the Beyond the Ultimate — Global Race Series.A brutal ultramarathon is the toughest race in the worldCredit: Beyond the UltimateAthletes compete across four different terrains in extreme conditionsCredit: Beyond the UltimateThey have to face up to the wilderness and all the dangers of mother natureCredit: Beyond the UltimateThere is beautiful scenery to enjoy amid the hundreds of kilometres runningCredit: Beyond the UltimateThe amazing competition sees runners take part in brutal 230km races around the globe across four different environments.Each must take a huge rucksack filled to the brim with food, water and clothes while also maintaining a steady running pace in the craziest of conditions.One course, known as the Jungle Ultra, takes place in the Amazon in Peru.It is regarded as the hardest race of all due to the brutal humidity and mud.READ MORE IN SPORTTemperatures in the jungle can reach up to 30 degrees celsius and even requires wading through torrential rivers.Qualified guides and medics are needed to ensure athletes do not succumb to the conditions, with the rainforest host to a number of creepy crawlies and venomous reptiles.Another race, the Mountain Ultra, sees athletes pushed to their limits in Tien Shan, Kyrgyzstan.Featuring a total ascent of 10,500m, unpredictable temperatures range all the way from 30 degrees celsius to just 5 degrees celsius.Most read in AthleticsJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSWith a maximum altitude of 10,500m, athletes have to gasp for air.And all competitors are required to first undergo an additional FIVE-DAY acclimatisation trek to get used to their surroundings.Vernon Kay reveals horror injuries after ultramarathon – as Children in Need reveal leaves him ‘speechless’ on stageOne race takes place in the Arctic CircleCredit: Beyond the UltimateAnother sees athletes in the AmazonCredit: Beyond the UltimateThere is plenty of nature about in NamibiaCredit: Beyond the UltimateRunners have to acclimatise to mountain rangesCredit: Beyond the UltimateMeanwhile, the Desert Ultra requires a brutal trek across the unforgiving sands of Namibia.Day-time temperatures can reach a mind-blowing 55 degrees celsius.But athletes needs clothes for all seasons as night-time drops all the way down to just 5 degrees celsius.Sand dunes and barren scrubland await those who dare venture out in the heat.And there is also plenty of wildlife on the loose that pose a serious danger to athletes.With various predators on the loose, runners are even accompanied by experienced rangers tasked with keeping them safe from prying claws and jaws.All three races in the current season have already taken place.Now, there is just one left and it is arguably the most dangerous of all.The fourth and final race is the Ice Ultra, which takes place in Sweden’s Arctic Circle and is mainly spent in darkness due to it just having eight hours of sun a day.Temperatures in winter often drop to below a mind-numbing -40 degrees celsius – a temperature so cold that if you stop, you “freeze to death.”Harry Edwards is aiming the become the youngest athlete to run all four racesCredit: Beyond the UltimateHe has just the frozen tundra of Sweden to conquerCredit: Beyond the UltimateHarry has already taken out the other three racesCredit: Beyond the UltimateHe will have completed all four races within a yearCredit: Beyond the UltimateThere is also the risk of runners bumping into a peckish polar bear along the way.While the terrain is an unforgiving mix of snowfields and Arctic tundra which require specialised boots and poles to cross.More medics and guides are required, with some paths even created to help runners find their way through the thick snow.But lucky athletes could be treated to a night-sky show from the Northern Lights.The race takes place in five stages across as many days.And there is even a Red Jersey Stage which occurs on a hairy 15km frozen LAKE.Only 40 runners are able to take part in the Ice Ultra, with places going for £3,500 and 2026’s event already sold out.It tends to attract seasons ultra runners and those looking for an exciting challenge in an incredible setting. Among the intrepid explorers is British ace Harry Edmonds.The young runner is hoping to break a new record this year.After already finishing the first three races, Edmonds on the verge of becoming the youngest person ever to complete the Ultra series.Aged just 24, he will also achieve the incredible feat of completing all four races in a single year.READ MORE SUN STORIESIt’s been a remarkable journey for someone who only started running during lockdown.But with dangers afoot alongside the freezing temperatures and hungry hunters, the infamous Ice Ultra will not be a walk in the park.How to train for the Ice UltraAcclimatise mentally and physicallyWith conditions dropping to minus 40 degrees celsius, it’s important not to panic.Short cold exposures like cold showers and ice baths help build mental resilience and confidence.It also helps you physically by remaining calm and making rational decisions, especially when faced with icy winds.Layering and your gearLayer up but DON’T put on too much as this will cause you to overheat.Sweating in sub-zero temperatures is dangerous as wet clothes get chilled.Hypothermia and even frostbite could kick in.Also keep electronics close to your body as they can fail in extreme cold.Eat and drink wellYour favourite snacks could end up freezing in the cold.Test them out by putting them in a freezer to see what works.Also use insulated water bottles and flasks with wide mouths to prevent freezing.Training properlyMake sure to practice with snow shoes and spikes beforehand.Learn how to walk and tread carefully, as in the race there are always hidden dangers under the ice and snow. More

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    in Boxing

    ‘I can’t match that’ – Mike Tyson doesn’t hesitate when asked who was most powerful puncher in boxing

    MIKE TYSON is regarded by many to be one of the most ferocious punchers of all time.But the boxing legend humbly admits he’s NOT the hardest hitter to have graced the heavyweight division.Mike Tyson is viewed by many to be the hardest puncher in boxing historyCredit: GETTYIron Mike knocked out all but two of his opponents on his way to winning the WBC strap in 1986Credit: GETTYBut the boxing legend insists he’s not the hardest puncher the sport has ever seenCredit: AFPIron Mike knocked out all but two of his 28 opponents during his incredible run to the WBC heavyweight title in 1986, which he won at the tender age of 20.The power he displayed in his destructive highlight reel gave his diehard fans hope he could knock out Jake Paul in his ring return last November.Tyson has long taken great pride in his crushing body of work but is adamant the power he showcased paled in comparison to one of his predecessors.When asked to name the hardest-hitting heavyweight ever, he told Fight Camp: “[It’s George Foreman].READ MORE ON MIKE TYSON”I can’t match somebody’s power who’s that big and that much man.”Only thing that allowed me to be exciting was that I did it faster than the other guys.”Foreman stopped all but one of his 38 opponents on his way to winning the unified heavyweight titles against Joe Frazier in 1973.The Olympic gold medallist was renowned for decimating his opponents with ferocious hooks, particularly to the body, after putting them on the back foot.Most read in BoxingJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSMike Tyson believes George Foreman is the heaviest hitter in boxing historyCredit: GETTYFormer heavyweight champ Foreman packed a nasty wallopCredit: GETTYThat strategy, however, failed him in October 1974 when fought Muhammad Ali in the ‘Rumble in the Jungle’, which he lost via an eighth-round TKO.Like Foreman, power came naturally to Tyson – who still, to this day, is the youngest heavyweight champion in history.’I’m kind of depressed a little’ – Boxing legend Mike Tyson’s alarming confession one month on from Jack Paul fightBut the 58-year-old insists: “Nothing about me was natural.”Only my desire to win was natural, I had a great teacher.”Only you can do that. You’re born with it but somebody has to elicit that.”Tyson suffered a unanimous decision defeat in his controversial crossover clash with Paul last November.He refused to rule out the prospect of lacing up his gloves again but was quickly OVERRULED by his wife, Lakiha. More

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    Jeremy Clarkson intervenes to save struggling Tony Bellew from first question on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire

    TONY BELLEW was on the verge of being KO’d by the £100 question on Who Wants to Be Millionaire before Jeremy Clarkson’s intervention.The former WBC cruiserweight champion was a recent contestant on the celebrity version of the quiz game, which he appeared on for charity.Retired boxer Tony Bellew recently appeared on Who Wants to Be a MillionaireCredit: ITVThe former WBC cruiserweight champion struggled to answer the £100 questionCredit: ITVHost Jeremy Clarkson had to spoonfed Bellew the answerCredit: ITV’The Bomber’ ended up walking away with £64,000 for a children’s charity, although he would’ve left for nothing had it not been for the intervention of host Clarkson.Bellew, 42, was left bamboozled by the incredibly easy opening question.Clarkson asked the Liverpudlian: “Which of these is a term meaning to socialise with other people, especially those who are deemed important? “Digestive, Shortbread, Ginger Nut or Hobnob.”READ MORE BOXING NEWS”A perplexed Bellew replied: “I’m not going to lie, I’ve never heard of this phrase before.”Clarkson eventually ensured the retired boxer wouldn’t be leaving the show penniless by muttering “hobnob” under his breath.Viewers back home couldn’t quite believe Bellew’s struggle to answer the question. One wrote on X: “Getting the impression that Tony Bellew isn’t a fan of hobnobs.”Most read in BoxingTony Bellew retired from boxing in November 2018Credit: GETTYAnother said: “Tony Bellew on Who Wants to be a Millionaire struggling on the £100 question.”Bellew answered ten questions correctly before cashing out £64k for the Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool.Former world champion Tony Bellew escorted out after gatecashing Jake Paul’s press conferenceThe former fan favourite was hailed for his incredible haul, with one viewer writing: “Absolutely brilliant Tony Bellew.”Another said: “The joy of Tony Bellew was something to behold.”And another said: “Well that was a fight and a half!”One remarked: Well done to Tony Bellew, that was hard if not entertaining work.”Another chimed in: “Well done Tony Bellew – he’s played it well.”Bellew retired from professional boxing in November 2018, just 12 days after suffering a brutal eighth-round KO loss to Oleksandr Usyk. More

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    Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker: Start time, TV channel, live stream, undercard for heavyweight title clash

    DANIEL DUBOIS put his IBF heavyweight title on the line against Joseph Parker as part of a mammoth card in Saudi Arabia.DDD put in a commanding performance in a fifth round stoppage defence of his title against Anthony Joshua at Wembley last September. Daniel Dubois (back) will defend his IBF heavyweight titleCredit: GETTYJoseph Parker is in a hot run of formCredit: GettyJoseph Parker comes into the bout with a record of 35-3-0, having lost just once to Joe Joyce since 2019, and currently holds the WBO interim heavyweight title.This kind of fight could easily main event a pay-per-view, speaking to the quality of the card on display when Artur Beterbiev rematches against Dmitry Bivol.When is Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker?Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker is set to take place on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol II, on Saturday, February 22.The card gets underway from 4pm GMT, with Dubois and Parker to fight before the main event at around 9pm GMT.The fight will take place at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.What TV channel is Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker on and can it be live streamed?Daniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker will take place on the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol undercard, live on DAZN.DAZN will broadcast the fight live to over 200 countries on their website. The event does not require a subscription and is on pay-per-view for £19.99.Coverage gets underway from 4pm GMT.Read more BoxingFull cardArtur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol for the IBF, IBO, WBC and WBO light-heavyweight titlesDaniel Dubois vs Joseph Parker for the IBF heavyweight titleShakur Stevenson vs Flloyd Schofield for the WBC lightweight titleCarlos Adames vs Hamzah Sheeraz for the WBC middleweight titkeVergil Ortiz Jr vs Israil Madrimov for the interim WBC heavyweight titleZhilei Zhang vs Agit Kabayel for the interim WBC heavyweight titleJoshua Buatsi vs Callum Smith for the interim WBO light-heavyweight titleBradley Rea vs Constantino Nanga More

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    Tense moment Richard Riakporhe gives Lawrence Okolie death stare after personal dig about ‘kissing Madonna’

    LAWRENCE OKOLIE and Richard Riakporhe plugged their heavyweight clash with a row over hugging – and kissing Madonna.Both men were paid big money to join BOXXER and Sky Sports but cruiserweight boogieman Chris Billam-Smith beat them both to win and defend his 14st 4lbs cruiserweight crown.Richard Riakporhe gives Lawrence Okolie a death after personal dig about MadonnaCredit: X formerly Twitter / @QueensberryMadonna is a friend of boxer RiakporheCredit: Instagram / @madonnaIn his 2024 clash with CBS, Okolie turned fans right off by being docked points for holding twice and turning the bout into a hugfest, before being dropped three times and beaten on points.A year later, in an effort to flog his battle with Billam-Smith, Riakporhe posted a photo of himself kissing 66-year-old Queen of Pop, Madonna.Now that both Londoners are rebuilding and rebranding up at heavyweight – against each other on April 5 – they dug up old dirt and slung it across the stage.Okolie revealed their rivalry started at a 2023 movie premiere when he walked over to Riakporhe and said: “Madonna is old now. That was it.READ MORE IN BOXING“I don’t pay too much attention to eye contact and face-offs but he looks very nervous in and around me now.“I am just going to deal with him in good fashion. And then he can go back to kissing Madonna, or modelling, or whatever it is he does.” Riakporhe took offence at the verbal dig but vowed to keep his cool after giving Okolie a death stare.The South Londoner reminded the Co-op Live arena in Manchester that Okolie has poor form for grabbing and holding in big fights against CBS, Sam Sexton, David Light and Matty Askin, dating back to 2018.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“I am not here to play around,” Riakporhe shot back. “There is a big opportunity here to change my life around.“I am not nervous around him, the only thing I have to be worried about is that one of his big hugs might suffocate me. “That’s all that makes me scared or nervous around him. The only way he squashes me is another two-handed bearhug combination.”Lawrence Okolie facing off with RiakporheCredit: PA More

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    Derek Chisora spotted with horror swollen eye after brutal Otto Wallin fight as he meets up with Nigel Farage

    DEREK CHISORA is nursing a horror swollen eye and battered face following his fight with Otto Wallin.Chisora, 41, defeated Wallin via unanimous decision after dropping his opponent in the ninth and 12th rounds.Derek Chisora made a public appearance after his fight with Otto WallinCredit: AlamyChisora showcased the full extent of his injuries against WallinCredit: AlamyChisora was left with a swollen eye after his war with WallinCredit: RexChisora made an appearance with controversial Reform UK leader Nigel FarageCredit: GettyDel Boy picked up a massive victory but suffered injuries on both eyes which left him soaked in his own blood during the content.The heavyweight made his first public appearance since Saturday’s gruelling bout during a photo call on Monday.Chisora met with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage in front of the cameras at a farmer’s protest.The boxing star let the world see the full extent of his sickening injuries, with his right eye severely swollen.Read More on BoxingA cut could also be seen under his left eye.Chisora, speaking immediately after Saturday’s fight, said: “When I arrived I said I wasn’t going to cry, but I bawled like a baby.”I love the sport, I love the fans. It was a very emotional day.”It was a hard fight. Both of my ears have popped, I didn’t tell my trainers. It was tough.”Most read in BoxingChisora put in perhaps a career-best performance as the judges at the new Co-op Live arena in Manchester called it 117-109, 114-112 and 116-110.War’s clash with Wallin is expected to be his penultimate professional boxing bout.Derek Chisora opens up on retirement and says people ‘don’t care’ about him in ‘scumbag’ sport of boxingChisora is planning to have one final fight, which will mark his 50th match.Del Boy is now the IBF’s mandatory challenger for Daniel Dubois’ world championship.Chisora was a bloody mess during his fight with WallinCredit: Reuters More

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    Olympics to be hit by legal action over Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting after Donald Trump’s ban on trans women in sport

    THE International Olympic Committee is facing a lawsuit for allowing boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting to compete at the 2024 Olympics.The pair were at the centre of a heated gender row that dominated the Paris Games.Imane Khelif’s participation at the 2024 Olympics caused controversy as she allegedly failed a gender eligibility test 18 months earlierCredit: APTaiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting was also said to have failed the same testCredit: AFPImane Khelif won Under-66kg goldCredit: REUTERSLin Yu-Ting won gold in the 57kg finalCredit: AFPBoth competed at the Games 18 months after being disqualified from the Women’s World Championships for allegedly failing a gender eligibility test.Tests administered by the International Boxing Association are said to have determined that Khelif and Yu-Ting have male XY chromosomes.The IOC, however, permitted the pair to compete – much to the frustration of the IBA.And in light of Donald Trump’s executive order preventing transgender women from competing in female sports in the USA, the Russian-backed organisation has decided to take legal action against the IOC.READ MORE MORE BOXING NEWSA snippet of a statement read: “In light of the gender eligibility issues surrounding boxers in 2022 and 2023, the IBA proactively conducted all necessary testing and subsequently banned individuals deemed ineligible from participating in women’s competitions.”Despite notifying the IOC about the disqualification of Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, the IOC disregarded this critical information, allowing both athletes to compete in the Qualifiers and ultimately at the 2024 Olympics, where they secured gold medals, denying opportunities to deserving female athletes.”As a result, IBA is filing an official complaint with the Attorney General of Switzerland, Mr Stefan Blatter, regarding the IOC’s actions that facilitated the participation of these ineligible athletes in the 2024 Olympic boxing tournament in Paris.”According to the Swiss law, any action or inaction that poses a safety risk to competition participants warrants investigation and may serve as grounds for criminal prosecution.Most read in BoxingImane Khelif’s 46-second victory over Angela Carini turned into a global talking pointCredit: REX”In addition, similar complaints are to be filed with the Attorneys General of France and the USA.”IBA chief Umar Kremlev said: “President Trump’s order to ban transgender athletes from women’s sport validates IBA’s efforts to protect the integrity of female sports.Gender row boxer Imane Khelif ‘names Elon Musk & JK Rowling in Olympics cyberbullying lawsuit'”Our actions aim to ensure gender equality in boxing.”We urge other International Federations to follow IBA’s example, as we are uniquely positioned to address this issue and advocate for our athletes’ rights.”He added: “IBA will provide free-of-charge comprehensive legal support to our boxers in these lawsuits.”As this is a clear violation of human rights, an outrage towards the female boxers, and simply a crime that should be punished accordingly.”In my personal opinion, Thomas Bach should take the full responsibility for this, as he was in charge when it happened.”And he needs to compensate the damages caused, if the court or any other instance rules this.”Khelif, who won Under-66kg gold, received a barrage of hate after forcing Italy’s Angela Carini to quit a mere 46 seconds into their opening bout.Multiple erroneous reports, most from social media, claimed she was a biological man.Imane Khelif has launched legal action against Elon Musk and JK Rowling for alleged “aggravated cyber-harassment”Credit: ALAMYKhelif has taken legal action against several prominent figures for alleged “aggravated cyber-harassment”, including Elon Musk and JK Rowling.Reflecting on her ordeal, she told El Birard: “Immediately after there was a big uproar from big politicians around the world, athletes around the world.”And even artists and stars, Elon Musk, Trump.. this thing….. that affected me.”I am not lying to you, it affected me. It affected me a lot, hurt me a lot. I can’t describe to you the amount of fear I had.”The scenario was very scary. Thank god, all the people of Algeria and the Arab world knew Imane Khelif with her femininity, her courage, her will.”Honestly, I don’t like to get into politics in sports, but they got into politics in sports.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Sports and politics are two separate things. “These politicians who are oppressing me, they don’t have the right to say that I’m a transgender.” More

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    Dillian Whyte vs Joe Joyce ANNOUNCED in bonanza heavyweight card featuring British stars

    DILLIAN WHYTE will face Joe Joyce as part of a heavyweight card. The pair will fight on April 5 at Manchester’s new £365million Co-op Live arena to kick off Frank Warren’s new DAZN schedule. Dillian Whyte will face Joe Joyce as part of a heavyweight cardCredit: PAJoyce returns in a make-or-break clashCredit: GettyAlso on the bill is Lawrence Okolie vs Richard Riakporhe and David Adeleye facing Jeamie TKV to make up the heavyweight card. Whyte beat Christian Hammer and Ebenezer Tetteh last year in his two comeback bouts.It came after he was pulled out of rematching Anthony Joshua – who he lost to in 2015 – following an “an adverse finding” in his drug test.He beat Hammer in Ireland and Tetteh in Gibraltar after resuming his careeer on the road. READ MORE IN BOXINGA report from Sky Sports said documentation from a forensic expert concluded that a nutritional supplement taken by Whyte did not disclose all of its ingredients and included a prohibited substance.Joyce meanwhile was twice stopped by Zhilei Zhang, 41, in 2023 before knocking out Kash Ali, 33, in his return last March.But he was beaten by Derek Chisora, 41, in July to leave his career hanging in the balance.Joyce insisted he would fight on and does so in a make-or-break clash against Whyte. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSThe chief support will see Riakporhe move up to heavyweight to fight rival Okolie. Okolie, 32, held the WBO cruiserweight title before moving up knocking out Hussein Muhamed in his heavyweight debut in December.Deontay Wilder and huge world title bout among SIX options for Anthony Joshua’s next fight if Tyson Fury stays retired Riakporhe, 35, heads to heavyweight off the back of defeat to Chris Billam-Smith, 34, for the WBO belt in June.The Londoner and Okolie have history, once clashing at the Creed III premiere in February 2023.And Adeleye, 28, is coming off a huge first-round KO over Solomon Dacres, 31, in December. It came after he suffered the first defeat in his career in October 2023, losing by stoppage to Fabio Wardley, 30, in Saudi Arabia. Hall of Fame promoter Warren left TNT Sports to join streaming service DAZN alongside Eddie Hearn. Anthony Cacace, 36, will face former super-featherweight world champion Leigh Wood, also 36, on May 10 in Nottingham. READ MORE SUN STORIESAnd Warren also announced the signing of ex-undisputed super-lightweight king Josh Taylor, 34. The Scottish star moves up to welterweight to fight Ekow Essuman, 35, also some time in May in Glasgow. Leigh Wood moves to Frank Warren to fight Anthony CacaceCredit: Richard Pelham / The SunCacace fights Wood on May 10Credit: ReutersJosh Taylor moves up to welterweight and signs with WarrenCredit: Getty More